The Arizona League Dodgers were the big winners this week by going 6-1. They also scored the most runs this week at 50. The Lookouts continued to struggle offensively. Their pitching has been good (24 runs allowed in seven games), but the hitting has nearly disappeared. The Dominican Summer League Dodgers actually allowed the fewest runs at 23.

Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig continue to impress, as does John Ely. Zach Lee might be coming into his own in Double-A as well.

—–

Albuquerque Isotopes (4-2)

Runs Scored: 44
Runs Allowed: 48

Player Of The Week

Tim Federowicz – C

Federowicz’s hot week was just enough to unseat Jerry Sands and to take his third honor of the season. He went 8-for-18 (.444) with a home run, three doubles, seven RBI, five runs scored, and five walks. He’s quietly posting a .297/.369/.482 line, but it is Albuquerque, so it must be taken with a grain of salt.

Maldonado earns his second award of the season by going 10-for-20 (.500) with two home runs, two doubles, three RBI, and four runs scored. The Lookouts didn’t hit well this week (scoring just 19 runs), so it’s a little surprising to see a guy hit .500 for the week.

Pitcher Of The Week

Zach Lee – RHP

Lee might finally be getting comfortable in the Southern League after a few up-and-down outings. He was pretty solid this week: 12 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K. His K/9 is down from his California League performance, but it’s all about him making quality pitches against advanced competition right now.

—–

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (3-3)

Runs Scored: 34
Runs Allowed: 37

Player Of The Week

Joc Pederson – OF

Pederson is having a great second half and a fantastic July and August. This week was no exception: 10-for-23 (.435) with two home runs, four doubles, six RBI, eight runs scored, and five walks. Pederson is hitting .333/.500/.744 in August with eight of his 13 hits going for extra bases. His on-base percentage on the season is flirting with .400 (.393). He’s a flat-out stud.

Pitcher Of The Week

Yimi Garcia – RHP

This was a tough one. Sanchez had one of his best starts in awhile (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K), but I went with Garcia here. Why? Well, his first week in the Cal League was pretty awesome: 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. Eight of the 11 outs he recorded were via the strikeout. That’s not a bad debut for a 21-year-old (soon-to-be 22).

—–

Great Lakes Loons (4-3)

Runs Scored: 32
Runs Allowed: 32

Player Of The Week

Nick Akins – OF

Akins hasn’t made much noise this season (not surprising because he’s not a prospect at this point in his career), but he had a solid week for the Loons: 7-for-22 (.318) with two home runs, two doubles, three RBI, six runs scored, and eight walks.

Pitcher Of The Week

Juan Rodriguez – RHP

Rodriguez, who was suspended for more than a month by the Quakes earlier this season before being demoted, amazingly got into four games for the Loons this week: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. The 23-year-old has an undeniably electric fastball, but his off-speed offerings aren’t great, just like his control. He had potential heading into the season, but his suspension and demotion raised some eyebrows.

—–

Ogden Raptors (2-4)

Runs Scored: 34
Runs Allowed: 46

Player Of The Week

Corey Seager – SS

Seager earns his second honor of the season by going 10-for-25 (.400) with a home run, a double, a triple, five RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases. Seager isn’t fairing well defensively (15 errors in 30 games), but he’s definitely coming into his own with the bat. It’d be nice to see him begin next season at Low-A, but the Dodgers don’t have a reason to rush him.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jharel Cotton – RHP

Cotton, the Dodgers 20th-round draft pick out of East Carolina, had a really nice outing this week in relief: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. He’s off to a nice start in his first 10 professional innings (1.80 ERA, 1.00 FIP, 12.6 K/9).

—–

Arizona League Dodgers (6-1)

Runs Scored: 50
Runs Allowed: 29

Player Of The Week

Yasiel Puig – OF

Puig had another impressive week in the Arizona League: 7-for-14 (.500) with two home runs, a triple, six RBI, six runs scored, and six walks. His performance was good enough to earn him a promotion to Rancho Cucamonga. It’ll be nice to see him play against more advanced competition.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jhouse Bermudez – LHP

Bermudez made the jump from the Dominican Summer League to the Arizona League and fared quite well: 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. The 19-year-old lefty has a little potential.

—–

Dominican Summer League Dodgers (4-2)

Runs Scored: 24
Runs Allowed: 23

Player Of The Week

Melvin Santana – 2B

It’s basically Santana vs. Josmar Cordero for this award. Santana had the better week of the two: 6-for-15 (.400) with a double, four runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. Santana boasts a nice .396 on-base percentage in the DSL.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jose Agusto Diaz – RHP

Diaz earns his second award of the season by throwing the ball well on August 9: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K. The 21-year-old is a sleeper in the organization.

All of the Dodgers minor league affiliates were in action this week, even if Chattanooga, Rancho Cucamonga, and Great Lakes played a short week because of its respective All-Star games.

Get used to hearing this: Ogden scored the most runs this week at 66, as the Raptors averaged 11 runs per game. They also gave up the most runs at 46.

The Arizona League began and the Dodger squad, filled with a plethora of 2012 draft picks (Zachary Bird, Justin Chigbogu, Joey Curletta, Jesmuel Valentin), went 4-0 in its first week.

—–

Notes: Zach Lee was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga from High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday. Ryan O’Sullivan was promoted from Low-A Great Lakes to Rancho.

—–

Albuquerque Isotopes (4-2)

Runs Scored: 38
Runs Allowed: 32

Player Of The Week

Brian Cavazos Galvez – OF

Cavazos-Galvez isn’t getting four at-bats every game, but he’s making the most of his trips to the plate. He went 9-for-19 (.474) this week with a home run, two RBI, a double, and seven runs scored. Cavazos-Galvez is hitting exceptionally well for the Isotopes. If he could handle center field, he’d probably be playing every day. This is his third award of the season.

Pitcher Of The Week

Josh Wall – RHP

Wall earns his first POTW honor by saving three of the Isotopes’ four victories this week: 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 SV. Wall hit a bit of a rough stretch about a month ago, but has been solid in his last 10 games (1.80 ERA, 10.8 K/9) and could be the next player recalled if the Dodgers need yet another bullpen option.

—–

Chattanooga Lookouts (1-3)

Runs Scored: 16
Runs Allowed: 20

Player Of The Week

Rafael Ynoa – 2B

Ynoa wins his second award by going 7-for-11 (.636) with two doubles, four RBI, two runs, two stolen bases, and four walks. It was a great four games for him, but it wasn’t so great for the rest of the team. On the season, Ynoa has the following line: .260/.345/.329 with 13 stolen bases.

I certainly thought we’d see Garcia on this list earlier than this, but he’s here now after going 9-for-19 (.474) with two home runs, seven RBI, a double, and four runs scored. His line on the season isn’t horrible (.266/.283/.447) considering he’s 20 years old and is playing against competition roughly a couple years older than him. However, while the pop is there, the walk rate is not. He’s drawn five walks against 63 strikeouts, and that isn’t going to cut it.

Pitcher Of The Week

Brandon Martinez – RHP

It’s hard to find a guy who threw well when the team gave up 43 runs in four games, but Martinez wins the award this week. He relieved the rehabbing Blake Hawksworth on Friday and pitched fairly well: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 4 K. Obviously, the walks are the only blemish. Martinez, who started with Great Lakes this season, has thrown surprisingly well for the Quakes this season. He could end up being one of their top pitchers going forward.

—–

Great Lakes Loons (1-2)

Runs Scored: 11
Runs Allowed: 15

Player Of The Week

Scott Schebler – OF

Schebler takes home his third award in the last four weeks (second straight) by going 4-for-10 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. On the season, Schebler is hitting .279/.308/.444 in a pitcher’s league.

Pitcher Of The Week

Ralston Cash – RHP

Cash had the best outing of his season on Saturday for the Loons: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. It’s nice to see him getting work in and averaging five innings per start. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t pitched since 2010.

—–

Ogden Raptors (6-1)

Runs Scored: 66
Runs Allowed: 46

Player Of The Week

Jesus Valdez – OF/1B

Like the team, Valdez absolutely destroyed Pioneer League pitching this week: 14-for-25 (.560), a double, two triples, seven RBI, 12 runs scored, and three walks. Valdez, 20, is a big kid (6’3″, 180) and is handling Pioneer pitching better than he handled Arizona League pitching last year.

Pitcher Of The Week

Carlos Frias – RHP

It’s going to be difficult finding a Pitcher Of The Week in the Pioneer League, but I’ll make it happen. Frias, who pitched 5 2/3 unsuccessful innings with the Quakes earlier this season, had a decent outing in his first start for the Raptors: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. He was throwing in the mid-90s with his fastball, so that’s encouraging. However, he is 22 years old, so he should dominate this level.

—–

Arizona League Dodgers (4-0)

Runs Scored: 36
Runs Allowed: 16

Player Of The Week

Paul Hoenecke – OF/1B

Hoenecke, the Dodgers 24th round pick just a few weeks ago, had himself quite the debut week: 9-for-18 (.500), one home run, six RBI, two doubles, one triple, and four runs scored. Hoenecke is almost 22 years old and could easily be promoted to Ogden if he proves he can handle Arizona League pitching. Drafted as a first baseman, he played one game at first and three in the outfield this week.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jonathan Martinez – RHP

Martinez, who turns 18 on Wednesday, threw the best game for the AZL Dodgers this week: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League last year and handled himself pretty well. He might be a pitcher to keep an eye on in Arizona.

—–

Dominican Summer League Dodgers (5-1)

Runs Scored: 55
Runs Allowed: 34

Player Of The Week

Josmar Cordero – 1B/C

Cordero wins this award for the second consecutive week by going 13-for-28 (.464) with two home runs, nine RBI, three doubles, and 10 runs cored. Cordero has a ridiculous .469/.506/.716 line and needs to be moved up as he has absolutely nothing left to prove in the Dominican Summer League. Gerson Nunez gave Cordero a run for his money this week (.519/.552/.630), but fell just short.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jhouse Bermudez – LHP

I promise I’m not being lazy. Bermudez, like Cordero, wins this honor for the second straight week by posting the following line: 11 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 10 K. He’s won all four games he’s started for the DSL Dodgers and owns a 0.86 ERA. He’s walked 11 batters in 21 innings, and that’s the only blemish on his record thus far.

The Lookouts, Quakes, and Loons all concluded their first halves this week. The Quakes, after winning 10 of 11 to get back into the playoff hunt, lost the last two games of the half and will play a one-game playoff against High Desert on Monday. The Lookouts and Loons both finished out of playoff contention.

The Dominican Summer League began last week, so my apologies for missing that league in my weekly recap. Also, Ogden started play this week and will be included in the next recap.

There are some familiar names this week, as you’ll see. Apparently, John Ely might be the only pitcher worth a damn in Albuquerque, and he’s throwing well.

Albuquerque scored the most runs this week at 41, followed closely by the Loons at 40. The Dominican Summer League Dodgers gave up the fewest runs at 22.

—–

Albuquerque Isotopes (4-3)

Runs Scored: 41
Runs Allowed: 33

Player Of The Week

Alex Castellanos – 2B

Castellanos returned to the Isotopes and promptly picked up where he left off, going 9-for-25 (.360) this week with two home runs, five RBI, three doubles, five runs scored, and a stolen base. Despite struggling with the Dodgers, he’s doing the exact opposite of struggling in Albuquerque: .375/.455/.768 with seven home runs, 13 doubles, and five triples. This is his third award of the season.

Pitcher Of The Week

John Ely – RHP

This is Ely’s second consecutive award, third in the last four weeks and fourth on the season. He had the following line this week: 10 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K. He is having a great season by Pacific Coast League standards. His 9.6 K/9 and 5.18 K/BB are both career highs, and he deserves a chance in the majors again, especially since he’s handling a notorious hitter’s league with relative ease.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in the majors sometime this season.

—–

Chattanooga Lookouts (2-4)

Runs Scored: 25
Runs Allowed: 35

Player Of The Week

Blake Smith – OF

Smith takes home his second honor of the season by going 11-for-22 (.500) with five doubles, seven RBI, and two walks. He finished the first half with a solid .298/.382/.480 line with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 16 doubles, 38 runs scored, seven stolen bases, and 29 walks. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in the AA All-Star Game.

Pitcher Of The Week

Allen Webster – RHP

Ah, that’s more like it. Believe it or not, this is Webster’s first award of the season, and he earned it by having one of his best starts of the season: 6 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. Webster has struggled mightily this season, but a stint in the bullpen might have him straightened out. If he can regain his pre-Chattanooga form from 2011, he’ll be in good shape.

—–

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (3-3)

Runs Scored: 24
Runs Allowed: 26

Player Of The Week

Leon Landry – CF

Landry started to heat up about the time I stopped watching the Quakes in Stockton (June 7) and it carried over to this past week. This is his third award and he earned it by going 9-for-27 (.333) with a home run, two doubles, a triple, four runs scored, and zero strikeouts. Landry finished the first half with a .321/.357/.538 line, four home runs, 14 doubles, seven triples, and 14 stolen bases. He went 1-for-2 in the A+ All-Star Game.

Pitcher Of The Week

Brandon Martinez – RHP

Martinez, who started with Great Lakes, had the best start of any Quakes’ pitcher this week: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. He struggled with the Loons but has pitched significantly better with the Quakes. He needs to work on allowing fewer hits, but the 21-year-old is holding his own thus far.

—–

Great Lakes Loons (4-3)

Runs Scored: 40
Runs Allowed: 46

Player Of The Week

Scott Schebler – OF

Schebler seems to be picking it up a bit, even if he refuses to draw a walk (3.1 percent walk rate). He went 10-for-24 (.417) with a home runs, seven RBI, four doubles, five runs scored, and a couple stolen bases. The positive: he drew a walk this week without striking out. That has to be a first. He finishes the first half with a .274/.306/.448 with five home runs, 20 doubles, six triples, and 10 stolen bases. This is Schebler’s second award (won it two weeks ago for the first time).

Pitcher Of The Week

Arismendy Ozoria – RHP

This is Ozoria’s first award and he earned it by throwing the best game of the week for the Loons: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. The 21-year-old finished the first half with a 4.07 ERA, good for second among Loons starting pitchers. It’ll be interesting to see the second half he puts together, and I’m actually expecting him to pitch well.

Dominican Summer League Dodgers (2-4)

Runs Scored: 32
Runs Allowed: 22

Player Of The Week

Josmar Cordero – 1B/C

Cordero is absolutely destroying this league, and he should be since it’s his third stint in the Dominican. He went 13-for-24 (.542) with a home run, seven RBI, and five runs scored. He’s played mostly catcher in his professional career, but he’s caught just four of 14 games thus far.

Not sure why he’s been moved out from catching, as he’s thrown out all three baserunners attempting to swipe a bag this season. Furthermore, he’s thrown out nearly 45 percent of would-be base-stealers coming into 2011. Perhaps it’s something about his receiving or other aspects of playing the position.

He should be state-side soon enough.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jhouse Bermudez – LHP

I’m not going to pretend I know anything about this guy, but he had a couple of good outings this week: 10 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 BB, 9 K. Obviously, the walks are a concern. However, the 19-year-old is throwing well for the DSL Dodgers so far. Expect a lot of short outings from pitchers down there, as it’s a rookie league and the managers aren’t going to throw teenagers too many innings.